All posts by Muskeg Meadows

We have three upcoming events to kick off the summer golf season here at Muskeg Meadows!

Saturday, April 28Kicking off the season with our first tournament of the year! Sponsored by Angermans, Inc.
Tournament begins @ 10am – sign up by 9:30.Full season tournament schedule HERE

Friday, May 4Annual Membership meeting and Board of Directors elections. Meet at 7:00 pm upstairs at the ELKS. All members should attend.

Sunday, May 6Annual Dinner & Auction fundraiser. This is the Golf Course’s one main fundraiser each year. All are welcome, you don’t need to be a Golf Club member to come out and support Muskeg Meadows in this event. No host bar and appetizers begin at 5:00 with dinner and auction to follow. The cost is $25 per person. Prime rib and pulled pork will be served and, as always, we are accepting donations of appetizer, hot dish, salad, or dessert. You won’t want to miss this, we have some great auction items lined up!click here for link to the FaceBook event

Walking the golf course from hole to hole and tee to green is approximately 4 to 6 miles. Not only are you walking, but you are also swinging the golf club and carrying the golf bag. We all know that physical activity leads to better over-all health, but it also has a large impact on your game. Improved power for longer drives, improve stability for better consistency, acquire a body that moves more freely, removing tension from the swing, gain more energy for 18 holes, elimination of injuries, weight loss and improved concentration are just some reasons getting fit helps improve your game.

Interaction with others:

Another benefit of playing golf is the friendships and interactions that are developed on the golf course. Generally, golfers team up in pairs or play their golf game with three other individuals. This foursome provides an excellent opportunity for individuals to interact with each other. This interaction is usually highlighted through telling jokes, sharing stories, conducting business, getting to know each other in an informal setting, etc. All of this is conducted in a non-threatening, but competitive environment. This type of interaction will prove to be therapeutic as well as an opportunity to bond with other individuals.

Enjoy the beautiful outdoors while playing golf:

One of the best things about playing golf is you have the opportunity to take in all the natural beauty surrounding the course. While playing with friends is great, going at it solo isn’t bad either. Breathe the fresh air while you find plenty of time to think. Walking the golf course can give you a chance to focus on some of the simple, yet finest things in life. Golf provides the opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle of the daily grind. It gives you time to reflect on what is really important. It allows you to shed away the stress from your workplace or other stressful environments. Being outside and enjoying the game of golf is an ideal way to relax.

Benefits of golf to kids:

The game of golf has at its core a standard of behavior that lends itself to positive development. Personal skills such as honesty, integrity, courtesy and respect are all present in golf, regardless of the level of competition. Golf teaches kids to use good judgment and be responsible for their actions. It also encourages the highest level of sportsmanship. Golf also allows for quality family time. It’s a game that families can learn and play together. Because golf has an established handicap system that was created to determine a golfer’s playing ability and potential, moms and dads can actually compete with their children even if they play from different tee boxes or at significantly different skill levels. Get the grandparents involved, and you have a game that everyone can enjoy together as a family for years and years. Some colleges and universities offer direct scholarships for the accomplished junior golfer, but they aren’t the only ones to give these scholarships. There are numerous avenues to receive monies that can be used to help with the cost of higher education. Equipment manufacturers, state golf associations, junior golf organizations, and philanthropists who themselves have benefited from the game are all on the list of sources that offer anything from $500 for books to a full-ride scholarship to the student’s school of choice. In many cases, skill level is not a determining factor for receiving an award: involvement in the game, good grades, community service, and employment at a golf facility can all be reasons for becoming a scholarship winner.

Whenever anyone uses the golf course, they are expected to be familiar with the unwritten rules of golf. This also includes folks who do not golf, such as joggers, walkers and berry pickers. This is the most important safety rule. Please familiarize yourself with proper golf etiquette before you use the golf course for any reason.

Golf etiquette is a reference of manners relating to three specific areas of golf: the pace of play (which makes the game more enjoyable), personal safety, and the integrity of the golf course.

Safety for Walkers: Be aware of your surroundings. Stop and stay behind any golfers that are addressing their ball. Golfers expect all golf course users to be quiet and respectful. “Fore!” is an internationally recognized warning to alert you of danger. If you hear someone from a group yell out “Fore!” immediately protect your head and run for cover.

Safety for Golfers: Be aware of your surroundings. Never swing your club in the direction of another. Never swing until you are sure others are at a safe distance around all sides of you. If you accidentally hit your ball into a group in front of you, give them a warning by yelling out “Fore!” When driving a golf cart, observe and obey all posted cart rules and drive carefully. Golf etiquette requires you to keep off the grass as much as possible. Never throw your clubs in anger. Golf can bring out the best or the worst in you – remember that golf is a gentlemen’s sport.

Maintain a Good Pace:

Walkers: Always stay on the cart path and try to move quickly away from any groups of golfers. Keep behind the ball, it is very dangerous to walk in the opposite direction of golfers. It is also important that you respect any approaching groups of golfers by being quiet and stopping to wait for them to address their ball. Move along with the pace of the game.

Golfers: Keep the game moving by being prepared to hit the ball when it’s your turn. In tournaments, the player who’s ball is furthest away hits the ball first; however, in friendly matches it is often agreed upon by all to “ready-play” where players hit the ball as they are ready. Don’t spend too much time looking for lost balls, especially if there is a group behind you. USGA allows for up to five minutes to search for a lost ball during tournaments. Good etiquette allows you to wave on the group behind you to play through. When two players in a cart hit to opposite sides of a hole, drive to first ball and drop off that player with his club, then drive to the second ball. After both players hit, meet up farther down the hole. Anticipate your next shot and take two clubs with you. Making unnecessary trips to your golf bag is a waste of time. Leave the green as soon as your group is done putting.

Be Kind to the Golf Course: Observe and practice all cart rules. There will be some days that will allow carts to remain on the cart path only and there will be other days where the course will allow for the 90-degree rule (where you drive from the cart path to the ball and directly back to the cart path in a 90-degree angle, being careful not to cause damage to the fairway). Keep carts and wheels away from the greens. These sensitive areas can easily be permanently damaged. Repair all your divots. When sand bunkers are present, always erase your tracks by raking after you’ve played your ball.

Never talk or make noise while someone is addressing their ball.

Never shout-out in excitement after your shot. It might disturb other groups playing the course.

Be aware of your shadow on the putting green. Don’t stand in a place that causes your shadow to be cast across another player or that player’s putting line. Never walk through another players putting line.

Tend the flagstick. It’s a golf no-no to leave the flagstick in the cup when putting. It could cost you a penalty during tournaments.

“The true gentleman is the man whose conduct proceeds from good will and an acute sense of propriety, and whose self‑control is equal to all emergencies; who does not make the poor man conscious of his poverty, the obscure man of his obscurity, or any man of his inferiority or deformity; who is himself humbled if necessity compels him to humble another; who does not flatter wealth, cringe before power, or boast of his own possessions or achievements; who speaks with frankness but always with sincerity and sympathy; whose deed follows his word; who thinks of the rights and feelings of others, rather than his own; and who appears well in any company, a man with whom honor is sacred and virtue safe.” – John Walter Wayland

Annual dues are affordable at only $40.00 per person. With your club membership you will receive a 2014 Membership Certificate that visibly demonstrates your commitment to giving back to the cause. Your membership will also qualify you for the option of purchasing passes and discounts on rounds of golf. If you are not interested in purchasing a season pass, or discounts on rounds of golf, you may be interested in becoming an Associate Member for only $15.

You may submit your payment by check or money order to Wrangell Golf Club, P.O. Box 2199, Wrangell, Alaska 99929.

After you get your blood drawn, stop by and pick up a FREE goodie-bag chalk full of health and fitness information and coupons. As you enter the Nolan Center, don’t forget to pick up your printed “map” of the sponsored tables. Visit each vendor’s table to get your map stamped by the sponsor. Turn in your completed map at the end to get your name in the drawing to win one of several great prizes from over 50 health minded organizations!.

Kids bring your teddy bears for a check-up!

*NOTE:

Please bring a canned item for the food bank collection. Also, unused eyeglasses for recycling by the Wrangell Lions Club. And drop off your old cell phones to be used by our Troops.